The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-08-06
The Abuce of Pension.

II appears that not all republicans are
agreed on the righteousness of the pension
steals, the vetos of which by President
Cleveland have aroused the wrath of the
Ohio republicans, The following com.
ments on the n. Y World anti Cleveland)
article are from the Chicago Tribune:
The letters received by the New York
Tribune from Grand Army post in response
to its inquiries show that while respect.
able proportion of the old soldiers do not
favor the Dependent Pensions bill the
sentiment in support of general.ser
pension act is increasing. OF these two
measures the former would degrade the
patriotism lost virtue and saddle upon the
people for the next generation heavier
load Of taxation on war account than Is
borne by any other nation In the world.
We showed last winter that the cost OF the
pension list and the army In this country,
whose policy and traditions are those of
peace, already exceeds that Of Great Brit
ain or Germany. The pension list alone
is within $20,000,000 of the cost to Ger.
many Of the immense standing army that
makes the Empire camp, A service pen
sion bill would more than double the annual
cost of pensions, raising 1t to $1j0,OO0,0OO.
This is S25, 100000 more than the expense
of the regular army of Russia, and exceeds
that of the armies of Germany and Austria
Hungary combined-N. Y, World.
THE present pensions have reached be.
tween 80 and 80 millions A general, service
pension would add one million of names to
the pension roll of soldiers, widows, and
dependent relatives which, at the proposed
$l2 per month, would equal l44 millions
per year. Add this to the existing 30 mill
ions and the total will be pa millions or
more that the total cost of the vast standing
armies of Germany and France. Besides
using up every dollar of the surplus rev.
enue, the sinking fund Will have to be sus-
pended anu deot-paying stopped, A heavy
incometaX bill will also have to be passed
70 make up the enormous sum that Will
be required The Northern politicians
who vote against such bill will probably
dig their own political graves, while the
politicians who help pass 1t will be des-
stroyed by the oppressed taxpayers whose
earnings will be devoured to raise the ire
mendous amount needed. But the claim
agents will live in clover
And yet the demogogs who favor such
an increase, to "Catch the soldier vote, :"
boast loudly on patriotic occasions of the
Republics exemption form the cost of
standing army.
A service pension Is equally objection
able on the score of principle and policy.
1t eliminates patriotism from National
contests. A citizens first and highest civil
duty is to defend his country. 1t WOULD be
lasting disgrace to the great Republic to
Hessianize Us army and induce men to en-
list In Its defense as a sort of annuity insur-
ance scheme There should be lberallty
In pensions but not prodigality. To pen.
sion the strong with the weak, the rich
with the poor, for service and not for suf-
fering, Is to abuse generous Nations
bounty.
This is what President Cleveland's veto
save the country from; but nevertheless
Fairchilds, Tuttle Il Co, and the Ottawa
Republican will be reading the Tribune out
of the party next. Free trade and anti pen
sion doctrines on off years will ruin the
Tribune one of these days as republican
organ.